Bleak Forest – a musical childhood adventure for wind orchestra

“Bleak Forest” is an atmospheric work for a smaller brass band that deliberately sets moderate technical demands – and thus offers space for sound formation, expression and effects .

Andreas Ziegelbäck won the "VLAMO International Composition Contest 2022" with this piece. The music is based on the composer's childhood memories : A dark, legendary forest in his homeland became a place of exciting fantasy for the village children—mysterious, threatening, and fascinating at the same time.

Structure & sound design:

• At the beginning : threatening animal noises and dense sound space

• From bar 70 (Andante) : the magical spell of the forest unfolds musically

• Snapping your fingers symbolizes individual raindrops

• From bar 99 : the march back to the village – accompanied by nervousness, fantasy and relief

• In the end : a safe return home – or not quite?

The piece invites ensembles to create different moods , to mediate between tension and calm, and to play narrative music.

About the composer:

Andreas Ziegelbäck studied music education at the Mozarteum Salzburg and history at the Paris Lodron University . His training in wind orchestra conducting with Thomas Doss sparked his passion for composing. He then studied composition with Johannes Maria Staud and attended a master class with Oliver Waespi, with a premiere performance by the Swiss Army Brass Band .

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Title: Bleak Forest - Brass Band Set

Cast: brass band

Composer: Andreas Ziegelbäck

Arranger:

Work type: opening work

Level: 2.5

Duration: 06:00 min

ISMN: 9790502954376

Manufacturer No.: SDP293-24-202